updated 07:28 am EDT, Mon October 14, 2013

Loses 3D display, removes hinge, drops price to $130

Nintendo has put its newest model of Nintendo DS on sale in the United States, Europe, and Australia. The Nintendo 2DS, seen as the budget-friendly and simplified version of the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console, eliminates the 3D top screen functionality and removes the hinge, instead being packaged as a dual-screened slate.

Despite being 2D-only, the Nintendo 2DS is still able to play existing 3DS games. The larger top screen has a resolution of 400x240, while the touch-sensitive bottom screen has a 320x240 resolution, measures 3 inches, and works with the supplied stylus. Supplied with a 4GB SD card for downloadable game storage, it also comes with a 1,300mAh battery, a 3D camera on the back, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

While the lack of a hinge may be seen as a way to make the console more hard-wearing, its removal and the lack of a 3D display brings the price of the console down to $130 in the US, a saving of $40 on the original Nintendo 3DS, and $70 cheaper than the larger Nintendo 3DS XL.